August 19 Daily Devotional

28 Jul August 19 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

ROOTED IN CHRIST

Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Some of you know that I have a small garden.  At one time in my life, I had a much larger one.  One thing I’ve learned about growing vegetables is having the right kind of soil, properly incorporating nutrients into the soil, and providing the right amount of water is critical to the growth of the plants and production of their fruit no matter what size the garden.  Oh, yes, there is one more essential. . .the plants must remain rooted in the fertile soil to produce fruit.  Remove the roots of the plant from the soil here in the Arizona heat  causes it to wither and die in only a few hours.

Today’s devotional verse uses the analogy of a plant remaining rooted to live. St. Paul says, “. . . continue to live your lives in Him (Jesus), rooted and built up in Him . . .”  Jesus taught this important message through a parable about two builders, one building his home on the sandy shoreline and the other on solid ground.  It was the one built on solid ground that survived the severe storms.  As a house needs to be anchored on solid ground so your faith needs to be rooted in fertile soil.

The point of today’s verses is “continuing,” “remaining,” “persisting” to live your life rooted and totally dependent upon Jesus Christ for this life and for your eternal life.  This sounds so easy.  No matter your age or life experiences, you know this is not the case.  As yesterday’s devotion said, there are many in this world striving to uproot you from your faith in Jesus Christ.  They will use anything and everything to remove you and your life from total dependence upon Him.

Thankfully your remaining rooted is God’s goal for you.  He and His Son have promised they will never leave you or forsake you ( . . . they will remain beside you to “lead you in paths of righteousness.”) (Psalm 23:3)  When temptations come your way you have their promise, “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Prayer:  Keep me, O Lord, rooted and secure in You!  Amen.

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

No merit of my own I claim But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.  Refrain:

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;

In ev’ry high, and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil.  Refrain:

His oath, His covenant and blood Support me in the raging flood;

When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.  Refrain:

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found,

Clothed in His righteousness alone, Redeemed to stand before His throne!  Refrain:

(LSB 575)